Seed ball additive, seed ball composition comprising same, and manufacturing method therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a seed ball additive and a seed ball composition comprising same and, more specifically, to a seed ball additive and a seed ball composition comprising same, wherein the seed ball additive has high water retention capacity, thereby maintaining a high germination rate even in regions with insufficient water and enabling rapid germination.

Description

Seed ball additive, seed ball composition containing the same, and method for manufacturing the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a seed ball additive and a seed ball composition containing the same, and more specifically, to a seed ball additive having high moisture retention capacity that can maintain a high germination rate even in water-scarce regions and enable rapid germination, and a seed ball composition containing the same.

[0002] Seed balls, designed to protect seeds and facilitate easy planting by throwing or scattering, originated from products made by mixing water into a mixture of seeds and soil. As a product that contributes to sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, urban greening, and ecosystem restoration, it has a high potential for application in various fields, such as agricultural and forest restoration projects utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles like drones described in Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-2564062 (published on August 7, 2023), and eco-friendly products, which have recently been gaining increasing consumer interest.

[0003] As prior art related to this, Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-2695325 (published on August 13, 2024) discloses a seed ball composed of multiple shell layers that can be supplied without damage caused by external environmental factors such as feeding activities of wild animals and allows for stable germination and growth at the sowing site. Additionally, Korean Published Patent Publication No. 10-2024-0158702 (published on November 5, 2024) discloses a seed capsule that facilitates storage and sowing by sealing and encapsulating the seed ball with a biodegradable film. However, the concept of the seed ball disclosed in the above patents is in the form where a core seed ball containing seeds and soil is located in the center and surrounded by a multi-layered outer shell. The core seed ball contains seeds and soil, but these components alone have low water retention capacity, making it difficult to retain and supply moisture for a long period, which leads to problems such as poor seed germination and poor establishment and growth of the plant.

[0004] [Prior Art Literature]

[0005] [Patent Literature]

[0006] (Patent Document 1) Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-2564062 (Published on Aug. 07, 2023)

[0007] (Patent Document 2) Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-2695325 (Published on Aug. 13, 2024)

[0008] (Patent Document 3) Korean Published Patent Application No. 10-2024-0158702 (Published Nov. 05, 2024)

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a seed ball additive having a high germination rate and high moisture retention capacity to enable rapid germination, and a seed ball composition containing the same.

[0010] To solve the above problem, the present invention provides a seed ball additive characterized by comprising 65% to 80% by weight of hydroxyethyl cellulose and 20% to 35% by weight of glycerin.

[0011] In the seed ball additive of the present invention, the hydroxyethyl cellulose may have a viscosity of 300 cps to 250,000 cps when an aqueous solution dissolved in water at 2 wt% is measured using a Brookfield viscometer at 20°C.

[0012] In addition, the present invention provides a seed ball composition characterized by comprising a seed ball additive comprising 65% to 80% by weight of hydroxyethyl cellulose and 20% to 35% by weight of glycerin, seeds, and soil.

[0013] In one embodiment of the seed ball composition of the present invention, the viscosity of the aqueous solution dissolved in water at 2% by weight of hydroxyethyl cellulose may be 300 cps to 250,000 cps when measured using a Brookfield viscometer at 20°C, and the seed ball additive may be included in an amount of 0.05 to 4 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of soil, and the soil may include one or more of culture soil, topsoil, and loess.

[0014] In addition, the present invention provides a method for preparing a seed ball composition, characterized by comprising: (a) a step of obtaining a mixture by adding 20% ​​to 35% by weight of glycerin to 65% to 80% by weight of hydroxyethyl cellulose; (b) a step of kneading and plasticizing the mixture to obtain a thermoplastic resin; (c) a step of extruding and granulating the obtained thermoplastic resin; and (d) a step of preparing a seed ball composition by mixing the granulated thermoplastic resin, which is a seed ball additive, with seeds and soil.

[0015] In one embodiment of the method for manufacturing a seed ball according to the present invention, the hydroxyethyl cellulose may have a viscosity of 300 cps to 250,000 cps when the aqueous solution dissolved in water at 2 wt% is measured using a Brookfield viscometer at 20 ℃, and in step (d), the seed ball additive may be added in a range of 0.05 parts by weight to 4 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of soil, and in step (d), the soil may include one or more selected from culture soil, topsoil, and loess.

[0016] In addition, the present invention provides a sowing method using a seed ball prepared from the seed ball composition of the present invention or a seed ball composition prepared according to the method of the present invention.

[0017] The seed ball composition according to the present invention comprises a seed ball additive which is a thermoplastic resin incorporating hydroxyethyl cellulose based on a biodegradable natural material, and the seed ball additive has a high moisture retention capacity, thereby supplying moisture to the seeds inside the seed ball over a medium to long period, resulting in a high germination rate and the advantage of rapid germination.

[0018] In addition, the high moisture retention characteristic of the seed ball composition of the present invention is expected to be useful for forestation and restoration projects by exhibiting rapid and high germination characteristics even in specific water-scarce regions or soil devastated by wildfires.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows an example of a method for preparing (a) a seed ball composition of Example 1 containing a seed ball additive and (b) a seed ball composition of Comparative Example 9 not containing a seed ball additive as an example of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 compares the germination state of the seed ball compositions of the embodiment and comparative example of the present invention.

[0021] The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims.

[0022] In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known technology may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention, such detailed description is omitted.

[0023] Where terms such as 'includes,' 'have,' 'consists of,' 'composed of,' etc. are used in this specification, other parts may be added unless '~ only' is used. Where a component is expressed in the singular, it includes cases where it is included in the plural unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0024] The features of each of the various embodiments of the present invention may be combined or combined with one another, either partially or wholly, and may technically enable various interlocking and operation. Each embodiment may be implemented independently of one another or may be implemented together in an interrelationship.

[0025] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a seed ball additive characterized by comprising 65% to 80% by weight of hydroxyethyl cellulose and 20% to 35% by weight of glycerin.

[0026] The above hydroxyethyl cellulose has a polymer structure that is difficult to mold and process because it is composed of strong hydrogen bonds and undergoes thermal decomposition below its melting point. If it is used as is in a seed ball composition without being molded, its water absorption capacity decreases, and its sustained release ability—which is the ability to slowly release absorbed water to supply moisture for a long time—is low. Consequently, as with conventional seed balls, the plant germinated in the seed ball may easily wither and die due to the influence of surrounding environmental factors such as dryness.

[0027] Accordingly, the present invention is characterized by the technical feature of rapidly germinating with a high germination rate by supplying moisture over a medium to long period of time through high moisture retention capacity, by incorporating a seed ball additive of a thermoplastic resin into a seed ball composition, wherein glycerin is added in a specific amount to hydroxyethyl cellulose based on a biodegradable natural material to provide thermoplasticity.

[0028] Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), one of the components of the above-mentioned thermoplastic resin, is a water-soluble polymer component in the form of a white or yellowish-white powder. It possesses the best salt resistance and pH stability among cellulose derivatives, and is recognized as a raw material that can be used for various product applications in various industries due to its colloidal properties, water retention, and heat resistance.

[0029] In the present invention, the hydroxyethyl cellulose may be a base resin having a viscosity of 300 cps to 250,000 cps. At this time, the viscosity of the hydroxyethyl cellulose is the viscosity when an aqueous solution (hydroxyethyl cellulose: 2 wt%) in which the hydroxyethyl cellulose is dissolved in water is measured using a Brookfield viscometer at 20°C.

[0030] If the viscosity of the above hydroxyethyl cellulose is less than 300 cps, the amount of glycerin to be incorporated increases, resulting in stickiness after extrusion and problems with moldability when manufacturing thermoplastic resin chips. If it exceeds 250,000 cps, the viscosity becomes too high when mixed with glycerin, causing an excessive load on the extrusion screw, and the melt flow index becomes too high, which may cause problems with moldability when manufacturing plastics.

[0031] In addition, the hydroxyethyl cellulose may be 65% to 80% by weight relative to the total weight of the hydroxyethyl cellulose and glycerin. If the content of the hydroxyethyl cellulose is less than 65% by weight, the glycerin is excessively present, making it difficult to form a mixture in the form of a lump that is difficult to feed into a device such as an extruder after plasticization. If it exceeds 80% by weight, plasticization by glycerin may not proceed sufficiently, which may result in a problem where it cannot be manufactured into a thermoplastic resin.

[0032] The above-mentioned hydroxyethyl cellulose can be used by using a commercially available product or by manufacturing it, and any manufacturing method known in the art can be applied without limitation as a method for manufacturing hydroxyethyl cellulose. Preferably, it can be manufactured by reacting cellulose with an alkalizing agent to obtain alkalized cellulose, and then etherifying the obtained alkalized cellulose.

[0033] Meanwhile, glycerin can be obtained as a byproduct when manufacturing soap or fatty acids from natural resins; however, recently, it is synthesized by treating propylene with chlorine to produce epichlorohydrin and then hydrolyzing it. It is used in various fields such as rubber, toothpaste, cosmetics, chemicals, paints, cellophane, printing ink, and confectionery.

[0034] In the present invention, glycerin is mixed with hydroxyethyl cellulose to disrupt strong hydrogen bonding caused by hydroxyl groups of hydroxyethyl cellulose and widen the distance between cellulose polymer chains to create an environment where micro-Brownian motion is likely to occur, and may be in an amount of 20% to 35% by weight relative to the total weight of hydroxyethyl cellulose and glycerin.

[0035] If the above glycerin content is added at less than 20% by weight relative to the total weight of hydroxyethyl cellulose and glycerin, the effect of hindering strong hydrogen bonding caused by hydroxyl groups of hydroxyethyl cellulose and widening the distance between cellulose polymer chains to create an environment where micro-Brownian motion is likely to occur is insufficient, so the glass transition temperature cannot be lowered and flexibility cannot be imparted to the resin, and if it exceeds 35% by weight, an excess amount of glycerin may leach out, causing stickiness and problems such as difficulty in granulation, such as pellets, may occur.

[0036] In addition, in one aspect, the present invention provides a seed ball composition. The seed ball composition of the present invention may be characterized by comprising a seed ball additive containing 65% to 80% by weight of hydroxyethyl cellulose and 20% to 35% by weight of glycerin, seeds, and soil.

[0037] The seed ball composition of the present invention can be used without limitation for purposes such as seedling cultivation, agriculture, horticulture, forest creation and restoration, and can also be used without limitation for the type of seeds included in the seed ball composition. Examples of seeds include seeds of edible crops such as chili peppers, paprika, and tomatoes, seeds of ornamental flowers or herbaceous plants, and seeds of trees for planting.

[0038] As an example of the present invention, when sowing using a seed ball composition containing seeds, the seed ball additive of the thermoplastic resin may contain 0.05 to 4 parts by weight, preferably 0.1 to 3 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of soil.

[0039] In addition, the seed ball composition of the present invention comprises soil that covers the seeds and retains nutrients together with the thermoplastic resin, and the soil may include one or more of culture soil, topsoil, and loess.

[0040] The above “cultivation soil” may refer to soil composed of a combination of soil and fertilizer for the cultivation of plants, and the types and amounts of soil and fertilizer included in the cultivation soil can be adjusted according to the type of plant to be cultivated.

[0041] The above “potting soil” may refer to a material made by artificially mixing various soils to facilitate plant cultivation. In one aspect, potting soil may refer to a mixture of natural mineral materials such as zeolite, diatomite, red soil, and weathered granite, natural materials such as peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite, and by-products such as coco peat.

[0042] The above “yellow soil” may refer to fine sand and clay of yellowish-brown or pale yellow color deposited by wind, etc. Yellow soil is mainly composed of silt-sized particles, is homogeneous and porous as it is loosely bonded by calcium carbonate, etc.

[0043] In addition, the present invention provides, in another aspect, a method for manufacturing the seed ball composition.

[0044] A method for preparing a seed ball composition according to the present invention may be characterized by comprising: (a) a step of obtaining a mixture by adding 20% ​​to 35% by weight of glycerin to 65% to 80% by weight of hydroxyethyl cellulose; (b) a step of kneading and plasticizing the mixture to obtain a thermoplastic resin; (c) a step of extruding and granulating the obtained thermoplastic resin; and (d) a step of preparing a seed ball composition by mixing the granulated thermoplastic resin, which is a seed ball additive, with seeds and soil.

[0045] The above step (a) is a step of mixing raw materials for manufacturing a thermoplastic resin, and since the composition and content of the composition for the thermoplastic resin are the same as those described in the description of the seed ball composition of the present invention, the description is omitted to avoid duplication.

[0046] Afterwards, the mixture of hydroxyethyl cellulose mixed with glycerin can be kneaded to perform plasticization [(b) step].

[0047] The kneading of the above mixture can be performed at 50°C to 90°C at 300 rpm or more, preferably at 70°C to 90°C at 300 rpm to 600 rpm, so that the plasticization of hydroxyethyl cellulose proceeds easily, and the kneading time can be appropriately adjusted according to the content of the mixture or the degree of plasticization, and preferably can be performed for 30 minutes to 60 minutes.

[0048] When mixing is performed under the above conditions, the glass transition temperature and melting point can be lowered to facilitate micro-Brownian motion of hydroxyethyl cellulose, thereby improving the plasticization efficiency of hydroxyethyl cellulose even with a small amount of glycerin.

[0049] The above mixing may be performed in any manner, but it can be performed alone using a mixing machine or together with the extrusion described later using an extruder.

[0050] At this time, the above-mentioned mixing machine is not particularly limited and any mixing machine commonly used in the industry may be used without restriction, such as a high-speed stirrer, mixer, or blender.

[0051] Meanwhile, in the manufacture of the thermoplastic resin according to the present invention, an additive may be further added and mixed as needed before and / or after the kneading (plasticization) step.

[0052] The above additives may preferably be one or more selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, lubricants, biodegradation promoters, and strength reinforcing agents, and the present invention does not place any particular restrictions on the selection of the above additives as they are components commonly used in the field.

[0053] Specifically, among the above additives, the antioxidant plays a role in preventing decomposition by heat during the thermoplasticization and molding of hydroxyethyl cellulose, and may be a conventional antioxidant available in the field, and as an example, it may be in the form of tetrakismethylene(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyhydroxycinnamate)methane, tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)phosphate, etc., alone or in a mixture.

[0054] In addition, the above lubricant is intended to improve the lubricating properties of the thermoplastic resin, and any conventional lubricant available in the field may be used without limitation. In terms of miscibility and lubricity with the thermoplastic resin of the present invention, it may preferably be one or more selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, ethylene glycol, glycerol monostearate, and lecidin.

[0055] In addition, the above biodegradation promoter and strength reinforcing agent may be used without limitation as long as they are conventional biodegradation promoters and strength reinforcing agents capable of promoting the biodegradation of a thermoplastic resin or reinforcing the strength of the resin. The above biodegradation promoter may be a fatty oil such as soybean oil, castor oil, linseed oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, fatty acids such as caproic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, oleic acid, olenic acid, and linoleic acid, fatty acid esters such as ethyl oleate, ethyl linoleate, and isooctylate, either alone or in a mixture of two or more types, and the strength reinforcing agent may be glass fiber, carbon fiber, etc.

[0056] Such additives may be selected without limitation in amounts commonly used within a range that does not impair the desired physical properties of the thermoplastic resin of the present invention, but preferably, each additive may be independently 0.01 to 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the thermoplastic resin of the present invention.

[0057] Next, a step of extruding the obtained thermoplastic resin to granulate it may be performed [(c) step]. The above (c) step further includes an extrusion step and a cutting step of extruding and cutting the kneaded (plasticized) mixture to obtain a form that is easy to produce. The extrusion step may be performed using an extruder, and the extruder is not particularly limited and any extruder commonly used in the industry may be used without restriction. For example, a single-screw extruder equipped with one screw or a multi-screw extruder equipped with multiple screws may be used. Considering the uniform kneading of the material, ease of processing, and economic efficiency, it may be preferable to use a twin-screw extruder with two screws.

[0058] At this time, the temperature of the extruder can be 70°C to 200°C, preferably 130°C to 180°C, so that extrusion is performed efficiently without decomposition of the thermoplastic resin, and the screw rotation speed of the extruder can be 20 rpm to 300 rpm, preferably 20 rpm to 200 rpm. Such extrusion conditions have the advantage of allowing sufficient extrusion with excellent process efficiency due to an appropriate throughput per unit time, and not causing problems such as thermal decomposition of the resin components.

[0059] The extruded product can be cut into a shape that is easy to handle and easy to manufacture into a molded product using a pelletizer, etc., and preferably, it may be in the shape of granules or pellets. In addition, it is also effective to include a cooling step in which the product is cooled through a cooling water bath between the extrusion and cutting steps, and it is preferable to perform a drying step in which the product is dried at 50°C to 80°C for 4 to 8 hours after the cutting step.

[0060] The thermoplastic resin manufactured in this manner may, for example, have a tensile strength of 4.5 MPa to 6.5 MPa as measured by ASTM D638 and an elongation of 20 mm to 45 mm, and has excellent mechanical properties and moldability, and is biodegradable.

[0061] Subsequently, in the step (d) of preparing a seed ball composition by mixing the seed ball additive, which is a granulated thermoplastic resin from the above step (c), with seeds and soil, the composition and content included in the seed ball composition are the same as those described in the description of the seed ball composition of the present invention, so the description is omitted to avoid duplication.

[0062] In addition, the mixing of the thermoplastic resin seed ball additive, seeds, and soil can be carried out using known methods or devices without special limitations, and for ease of operation, methods using a worker's hands or a mold can also be appropriately used.

[0063] In addition, in another aspect of the present invention, a sowing method using a seed ball prepared with the seed ball composition of the present invention is provided.

[0064] An example of the sowing method of the present invention is not particularly limited to throwing the seed ball into an expected sowing area to germinate the seeds, but, for example, it includes loading the seed ball onto a vehicle, cultivator, tractor, or a light aircraft capable of flight, drone, etc., and then throwing it into the expected sowing area. The specific throwing method or the watering method after sowing may be appropriately selected from known methods recommended for seeds contained in the seed ball.

[0065] In describing the seed ball additive of the present invention, the seed ball composition containing the same, and the method of manufacturing the same, it is specified that other conditions or equipment not explicitly described may be appropriately selected within the scope of what is commonly practiced in the art and are not particularly limited.

[0066] The present invention will be explained in more detail below through specific embodiments. The following embodiments are merely examples to aid in understanding the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0067] <Example 1>

[0068] Referring to the method for preparing the seed ball composition of the present invention in FIG. 1, a mixture was obtained by adding 23% by weight of glycerin to 77% by weight of hydroxyethyl cellulose (Lotte Fine Chemical, HEC B100K) having a viscosity of 100,000 cps, and the obtained mixture was plasticized by high-speed mixing at 300 rpm for 30 minutes, and then a seed ball additive of a thermoplastic resin in the shape of a strand (3 mm × 3 mm) was prepared using a twin-screw extruder with a screw speed of 30 rpm [main motor speed of 200 rpm ~ 250 rpm].

[0069] <Examples 2 to 7>

[0070] Seed balls were prepared following the preparation of seed ball additives, by manufacturing in the same manner as in Example 1, but changing to the conditions of Table 1 below.

[0071] <Comparative Examples 1 to 8>

[0072] Seed balls were prepared following the preparation of seed ball additives, by manufacturing in the same manner as in Example 1, but changing to the conditions of Table 1 below.

[0073] [Table 1]

[0074]

[0075] [Measurement of germination rate and average germination days: Experimental Examples 1-7, Comparative Experimental Examples 1-5]

[0076] After preparing loess of the same particle size by filtering it through a sieve with a mesh size of 710㎛, 50 seeds of Crown Red cabbage (Danong Co., Ltd.), which guarantee a germination rate of 80% or more, were uniformly mixed with 120g of loess and 30ml of water, using the thermoplastic resin seed ball additive in the content of Table 2 relative to 100 parts by weight of the loess, and then molded and dried for 24 hours to produce 10 seed balls.

[0077] The seed balls prepared above were placed on potting soil under conditions of a temperature of 25±3℃, humidity of 45±5%, and a white light period of 16 / 8 hours (dark / light), and the germination characteristics were evaluated in the following manner, and the results are shown in Table 2 below.

[0078] Evaluation method

[0079] (1) Calculation of percent germination (PG): The number ratio of seeds classified as normal seedlings derived from seed ball compositions grown for 14 days is listed in Table 2.

[0080]

[0081] (2) Calculation of Mean Germination Time (MGT): The average germination time of all germinated seeds was calculated and listed in Table 2 below. In the following formula, t i is the number of days since sowing, and n i is the number of germinations on the day of investigation, and N is the total number of germinations.

[0082]

[0083] (3) Evaluation: If the above germination rate is 80% or higher and the average germination period is less than 7 days, it is recorded as ‘Good’. If the germination rate is less than 80% or the germination period is 7 days or higher, it is recorded as ‘Poor’ in Table 2.

[0084] [Table 2]

[0085]

[0086] Referring to Table 2 above, in the case of Comparative Experiment Example 1, which did not include a seed ball additive made of thermoplastic resin, the germination rate was low at 76%, and the average germination period was relatively long at 7.1.

[0087] On the other hand, in the case of Experimental Examples 1 to 7, in which the seed ball additive of the present invention was included in an appropriate amount, the germination rate was 80% or higher and the average germination period was 7 days or less, confirming that the seed ball additive of the present invention is effective for seed germination.

[0088] As shown in Comparative Experiment Examples 3 to 5, seed balls using the seed ball additive of the comparative example, which has poor thermoplastic resin moldability as a seed ball additive, showed a poor germination rate. This is because the thermoplastic resin with poor moldability in the comparative example does not form properly, resulting in reduced water absorption capacity, and its sustained release ability—the ability to slowly release absorbed water to supply moisture for a long time—is inferior to that of the molded form. Additionally, it is presumed that this is because it cannot promote soil aggregation, which helps plant growth within the soil.

[0089] As described above, although the present invention has been explained by limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims described below by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.

Claims

1. A seed ball additive characterized by comprising 65% to 80% by weight of hydroxyethyl cellulose and 20% to 35% by weight of glycerin.

2. In Paragraph 1, A seed ball additive characterized by the fact that the above-mentioned hydroxyethyl cellulose has a viscosity of 300 cps to 250,000 cps when an aqueous solution dissolved in water at 2 wt% is measured using a Brookfield viscometer at 20 ℃.

3. A seed ball composition characterized by comprising a seed ball additive comprising 65% to 80% by weight of hydroxyethyl cellulose and 20% to 35% by weight of glycerin, seeds, and soil.

4. In Paragraph 3, A seed ball composition characterized by the fact that the above-mentioned hydroxyethyl cellulose has a viscosity of 300 cps to 250,000 cps when an aqueous solution dissolved in water at 2 wt% is measured using a Brookfield viscometer at 20 ℃.

5. In Paragraph 3, A seed ball composition characterized by comprising 0.05 to 4 parts by weight of the seed ball additive per 100 parts by weight of soil.

6. In Paragraph 3, A seed ball composition characterized in that the soil comprises one or more of culture soil, topsoil, and loess.

7. (a) A step of obtaining a mixture by adding 20% ​​to 35% by weight of glycerin to 65% to 80% by weight of hydroxyethyl cellulose; (b) a step of kneading and plasticizing the above mixture to obtain a thermoplastic resin; (c) a step of extruding and granulating the thermoplastic resin obtained above; and (d) a step of preparing a seed ball composition by mixing a seed ball additive, which is a granulated thermoplastic resin, with seeds and soil; a method for preparing a seed ball composition characterized by including 8. In Paragraph 7, A method for preparing a seed ball composition, characterized in that the above-mentioned hydroxyethyl cellulose has a viscosity of 300 cps to 250,000 cps when an aqueous solution dissolved in water at 2 wt% is measured using a Brookfield viscometer at 20 ℃.

9. In Paragraph 7, A method for preparing a seed ball composition, characterized in that, in step (d) above, the seed ball additive is added in a range of 0.05 to 4 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of soil.

10. In Paragraph 7, A method for preparing a seed ball composition, characterized in that, in step (d) above, the soil comprises one or more selected from culture soil, topsoil, and loess.

11. A sowing method using a seed ball prepared from a seed ball composition of any one of paragraphs 3 to 6, or a seed ball composition prepared by the manufacturing method of any one of paragraphs 7 to 10.

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